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history

History at CLSG aims to:

• Foster a passion for, and understanding of, the past
• Provide students with a perspective on the present through studying the past
• Appreciate different viewpoints and encourage tolerance
• Pursue a deeper understanding of the subject through reading
• Develop skills which help students to select, organise, analyse and evaluate various sources of evidence, and thereby to construct effective arguments which encompass an awarenss of different interpretations
• Encourage independent learning through effective use of the internet and research libraries

These skills are invaluable in helping to make sense of information in the modern world.

WHY IS HISTORY EXCITING AT CLSG? 

There are many reasons why studying History is exciting:

• History provides a unique opportunity to understand the motivations of individuals, and how this has influenced the world in which we live
• Lessons are stimulating and interactive, with a focus on using evidence to promote discussion and debate
• Students are encouraged to develop an individual viewpoint, and to support this from their own knowledge
• The subject provides opportunities for a wide range of trips, both domestic and international, in order to support and enrich the curriculum.
• History links in with, and underpins other subjects in the curriculum.

COURSE STRUCTURE

YEARS 7 - 9

Over these three years, students will study Medieval Realms, the Early Modern World with specific emphasis on Britain under the Tudors and Stuarts (circa 1500 to 1700) and the making of the 'Modern World',  with emphasis on Britain 1750 to 1918. They will also study the French Revolution in Year 8 and the history of America from Revolution to Civil War in Year 9. The course provides a broad overview of the development of British and European History, while allowing the opportunity to explore some topics in depth. The History Department is always looking to stimulate students beyond the classroom, and there is at least one visit each year which can lead to a piece of coursework. Recent visits have included the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the First World War Battlefields and the Imperial War Museum.

YEARS 10 and 11

Students studying GCSE History analyse the period between the two World Wars as well as British History up to 1918. The course aims to give students a clear understanding of the major events that shaped the lives of people in the Twentieth Century. During the course, girls learn about International Relations from 1919 to 39, conduct an intensive study of Germany, Russia and America in the inter-war period and explore aspects of British History between 1906 and 1918.

Girls are tested via structured essays and source work in examinations as well as in their coursework. Girls are provided with an enrichment booklet which offers a wide range of suggested reading, films, museums and other relevant sources of interpretation. We encourage girls to view relevant films and to make links, as appropriate, to current affairs.

SIXTH FORM

We offer two history courses, Sixteenth Century  and Twentieth Century History. The Sixteenth Century course focuses on the Tudors and aspects of European History including the reformations, the Dutch Revolt and the Golden Age of Spain. Twentieth Century History, focuses on the USA - civil rights and the Vietnam War, the decolonization of India and China. The two courses differ in content but not skills, and universities make no distinction between them. These two courses provide valuable transferable skills and have proved very popular with girls.

“The AS Level course has been totally different to GCSE and really interesting. We have looked at the Twentieth Century on a larger scale focussing on many aspects. The Russian Revolution and Communism as an ideology is one area that I am particularly interested in and I have thoroughly enjoyed the lessons. I have developed many skills from this course including essay writing. I feel that over the course of this year, my analytical skills have developed and I feel confident with this subject. I am really looking forward to taking the A2  lessons.” — Hannah

EXAM BOARDS

GCSE - OCR Modern World Syllabus

A Level - Edexcel

RECENT TRIPS/LEARNING ACTIVITIES

• Trip to the Battlefields - April 2010
• History Trip to Berlin - February 2011
• Annual Trip to Hampton Court, Tower of London, Museum of London, the National Army Museum and the Imperial War Museum

Head of Department

Mrs K Brice